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Past Mortem
 
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Past Mortem (Paperback)

by Ben Elton (Author)
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
RRP: £7.99
Price: £5.97 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Product details

  • Paperback: 459 pages
  • Publisher: Black Swan; New edition edition (2 May 2005)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0552771236
  • ISBN-13: 978-0552771238
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 42,600 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #15 in  Books > Fiction > Authors, A-Z > E > Elton, Ben
    #62 in  Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Police Procedurals

Product Description

Christina Hardyment, The Times

'Ben Miles's reading... is flawless' --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.


The Sunday Times

a clever story idea, with an excellent performance by Miles --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

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63% buy the item featured on this page:
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Customer Reviews

77 Reviews
5 star:
 (38)
4 star:
 (20)
3 star:
 (12)
2 star:
 (6)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (77 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A fast paced & light-hearted black comedy. Well worth a read!, 22 Dec 2006
By Chris Hall "Dreadlocksmile" (Cardiff, Wales) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)      
"Past Mortem" is Ben Elton's ninth novel which was first published back in 2004. Described on the sleeve as a "heart-stopping thriller and a killer comic romance", having been written by the comedian Ben Elton, you were sure to have a fair amount of comedy within the book.

The novel reads like a black comedy version of a Shaun Hutson thriller novel, being very easy to read, delivering short fast paced chapters that end on miniature cliff hangers throughout the book. The novel follows the life of detective Edward Newson as he tries to capture a serial killer who is murdering bullies in inventive and disturbing ways. The storyline is somewhat similar to David Fincher's film Seven, yet at the same time so very far removed.

The likeable character of Newson, who was obviously based on Elton himself, keeps the novel alive with his comical view on the world, even in the face of such difficult circumstances. The running subplot of Newson's secret crush on one of his fellow colleagues and his resulting non-existent love life, makes the character so much more loveable.

The novel is slightly let down by the obvious and predictable outcome of who the killer is, which becomes apparent from quite early on. This obviously was not Elton's intention, which ruins the `twist-ending' as you will see it coming from a mile away. Still, the book is a thoroughly enjoyable read due to the well written nature of the book, and for a bit of light hearted reading, you can't go wrong with it.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A truly enjoyable read., 25 Feb 2006
By A Customer
A superb read, I could not put the book down, reading right through the night. I have tried to analyse why and how Ben Elton’s style of writing is so captivating, but I can’t tell you. By half way through the book, I had a good idea who the villain was, but there was always an element of doubt, which kept me burning the midnight oil.
There is a great interweaving of different story lines, the crimes with gruesome details, a love story, interesting characters and the sex. The sex – my father used to say
“You youngsters think you invented sex”
I’m now at the same age my fathers was when he made these remarks, and it’s true, youth must have invented sex, there are things in this book I had never dreamt of; but then again, I have lead a very sheltered life.
A truly enjoyable read.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Great thriller, but don't expect much comedy, 1 Nov 2004
By Mrs. R. E. Chandler "rosie_c" (Berkshire) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Past Mortem (Hardcover)
As a murder mystery this book is very good - easily ranking up there with most of the consumer crime novels on the shelves today. No, it isn't a comedy, but I don't think that Elton was trying to write one this time. But it is a great analysis of the long and short term effects of bullying, and it did raise a chuckle from me on occasion. This isn't a book for the faint of heart. Most of the murder scenes are described in very graphic detail but you'll realise as the story develops that this is necessary, as it is the methods of killing that becomes the focus of the plot. Yes, I did guess who the killer was about two thirds of the way through, but this is not so important because I was interested in how the book's hero, the "short-arsed ginger minger", Detective Inspector Ed Newson, would figure it out and catch the bad guy. I can highly recommend this book, but don't expect a laugh-a-minute whodunnit like Dead Famous. This is more along the lines of the social commentary of High Society and Elton demonstrates an increasingly mature style.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Quite predictable, though utterly enjoyble.
I didn't know Ben Elton at all before reading this book, so I have to admit that he's been an utter surprise for me. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Francesconi Alessandra

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating
A very good book. Captivating, intrigueing, sexy, with strong characters. A great read. It's not gritty reality and yes, I did guess the killer before the end, but stories are for... Read more
Published 24 months ago by CH

2.0 out of 5 stars Predictable
This is the 1st book by Ben Elton that I have read and from the begining it appears to be a well writen piece of work. Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2007 by cocosteel

1.0 out of 5 stars You cannot be serious!!
I must say before the rest of this review that I listened to this on audio whilst I was at work and had no alternative - to all of you who enjoyed this book, please read Mark... Read more
Published on 9 Oct 2007 by Louise Giblin

5.0 out of 5 stars A cracking read
Ben Elton proves his immense status as prolific author amongst readers as this novel clearly indicates. Past Mortem is a fine blend of humour, sex and seriousness. Read more
Published on 22 Aug 2007 by P. DATTA

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic
I would give this more than 5 stars if I could! This was one of the best books I have ever read - it has humour, romance, and lots of tension. Read more
Published on 19 Aug 2007 by gerty guinea

4.0 out of 5 stars Top Read
Ben Elton is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors, by quite simply writing highly, highly entertaining material such as this. Read more
Published on 24 Jun 2007 by >KārK<

5.0 out of 5 stars fantastically entertaining.
this book really will have you either gripped or wetting yourself laughing until the very end. in usual ben elton style this book takes something that is madly popular at the... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2007 by joey

5.0 out of 5 stars Friends Reunited the murder
Like all of Elton's comedic novels this is fast paced and very readable but without the eco-messages of most of his previous works. Read more
Published on 22 Jan 2007 by H

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Bad
This is a thriller, a murder mystery and a romantic comedy. Protagonist Edward Newson is the youngest Detective Inspector in the Metropolitan Police Service, he is probably also... Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2007 by P.M. Wood

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